Q&A: Rainbow
Rainbow
Question
Hello Rabbi,
1. I heard an opinion that the entire prohibition against looking at a rainbow applies only when it doesn't fit with nature, but when it is the natural state of affairs then it is permitted to look. Has the Rabbi heard of such an opinion/reasoning?
2. I would be glad to know the Rabbi's view about the prohibition against looking at a rainbow.
Answer
Rainbow, not "qeshet" misspelled.
A very strange prohibition, of course. You can see a short overview here: https://www.toraland.org.il/%D7%9E%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%91%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%92%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%A0%D7%94/%D7%97%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%95%D7%9F/%D7%94%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%90%D7%94-%D7%A7%D7%A9%D7%AA/
I think that with such a strange prohibition, one should be lenient wherever it is possible to be lenient.
All of these things are most puzzling. And what causes these things and others like them are the words of Kabbalah, as I wrote in the previous comment.
One who guards his soul should keep far away…